How To Build Church Attendance
The Barna Research Group says that while the building of new churches grew in the first decade of the 21st century, church attendance did not. With so many options afforded to churchgoers, like web church, house church and drive-in church, traditional church attendance has waned. The unchurched also remains a group that continues to grow and needs to be reached. Use these ideas to start to build your church attendance.
How To Build Church Attendance
1. Determine the core group already attending your church. Don’t try to attract young people if you don’t have any already attending. Pick your “target audience” based on who is currently attending your church. Are you a group of energetic middle-agers? How about building a plan based on the unique issues that face this age group?
2. Plan an event on your church grounds that will attract new people from your community. It could be something like a concert, dance, or picnic - just make sure that you are spending time and energy on a unique event. Try to ensure that you are filling an unfilled need for the “target market” you are seeking to attract.
3. Promote your event for at least a month before it takes place. Have everyone in your church personally invite their neighbors and friends. If you can afford to, advertise on the radio and in your local newspaper, and don’t forget the free places – make event flyers and ask every business in your neighborhood if they will put it up for you. You’ll be surprised at how many say yes!
4. Hold your event on the date you advertised. Keep the environment friendly and non-threatening by de-emphasizing the religious aspects of the event. Even though this seems counter-intuitive, remember that unchurched individuals will feel much more comfortable when they begin with an event that seems less intimidating. Don’t worry – they know that you are a church.
5. During your initial event, ADVERTISE YOUR NEXT EVENT. The next day, follow up your event with a thank-you note and maybe even a phone call. Give everyone who came to your event the chance to hear that you appreciated their visit and you’d love for them to attend the next event. This follow-up is best left up to the most outgoing people in your church, so try to pick people who are most appropriate for this very important task.
6. Watch for new people every Sunday – have everyone ready to welcome newcomers who may want to learn more about your church after their happy experience at your first event. Make sure that they feel comfortable and loved.
